2 day Oasis Bay Cruise to Halong Bay from Hanoi

The best thing about this Oasis Bay Cruise is its mix of Halong Bay scenery and active entertainment. You are not simply sitting on a boat taking photos. You can kayak, swim, use the water trampolines, jump from the boat, play beach volleyball and football, then settle into an outdoor jacuzzi as the light fades.

I like the easy Old Quarter pickup, which saves you from arranging a separate ride to the harbor. I also like the social setup: a live DJ, group games, a dance performance, and a maximum of 68 people make this a good fit if you want to meet others rather than spend two quiet days alone.

The main consideration is the schedule. The cruise packs a lot into roughly 48 hours, and the evening party may not suit anyone seeking a silent, slow-paced sailing. Drinks cost extra, at about $5 to $10, and the non-refundable policy means you should check your dates and the weather forecast carefully.

Key points to know before booking

• Kayaking and water play are central activities: You get time for kayaking, swimming, trampolines, boat jumping, and beach games rather than only scenic cruising.
• The cruise has a youthful party feel: Expect a live DJ, dancing, games, sunset fruit, and a social onboard atmosphere.
• Your $228 fare covers quite a lot: Transport from Hanoi, meals, an en-suite cabin, sightseeing fees, kayaking, water, and an English-speaking guide are included.
• The timing is efficient but full: Pickup begins around 8:15 to 8:45 a.m., and you return to Hanoi around 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. on day two.
• The vessel is described as large: The Genz Cruise can accommodate up to 68 people, so this is a group experience, not a private boat escape.
• Plan for extra spending: Beverages and personal expenses are not included, and public holidays carry a $20 surcharge.

From Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Tuan Chau Harbour

Your day begins with pickup from Hanoi’s Old Quarter between 8:15 and 8:45 a.m., with the stated start time of 8:30. The included round-trip shuttle is useful because Tuan Chau Harbour is outside central Hanoi, and you do not need to solve the transfer problem on your own.

The trip reaches number 24 Tuan Chau Harbour around 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. That gives you time to arrive, gather with the group, and board the cruise before lunch. After a welcome drink, check-in takes place around noon, followed by lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

This first stretch is mainly transport and orientation, so keep your expectations realistic. You are not yet out among the limestone formations for the whole morning. The payoff is that your cabin, meals, and activities are organized from the start, with an English-speaking guide available to help the group.

The cruise is described as one of the larger vessels in Halong Bay, with a maximum group size of 68. That number matters. A larger boat can provide more shared facilities, including several jacuzzis and space for games, but you should not expect the intimacy of a small private junk.

Two active hours on Halong Bay

The first major activity period runs from about 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. You can take a kayak onto the bay, enjoy a beach, and use the water trampolines. Swimming and boat jumping are also part of the activity mix.

I like this approach because Halong Bay is more enjoyable when you can get off the main vessel and see the water at a lower level. Kayaking gives you a closer view of the bay and a chance to move at your own pace, while the beach and trampolines add a playful edge.

The tradeoff is that this is not a quiet nature trip. The activity program is designed for people who want motion, noise, and company. If you want to spend the afternoon reading in silence, the shared games and music may feel like too much.

Bring practical clothing for getting wet. The supplied information confirms kayaking and water activities, but it does not specify changing-room arrangements, so a quick-drying outfit and a simple way to keep valuables dry are sensible choices. The cruise includes two complimentary bottles of mineral water in your cabin, but beverages beyond that are extra.

Jacuzzi time, sunset fruit, and the evening party

From roughly 4:00 to 6:30 p.m., the pace shifts to relaxation. The boat has outdoor jacuzzis arranged around the vessel, giving you a place to sit with a drink, watch the bay, and take in the changing light.

A sunset party includes fresh fruit and happy hour. This is one of the better moments for balancing the active schedule. You have already kayaked and played in the water, and the jacuzzi gives you time to dry off and settle in before dinner.

The evening meal is scheduled from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Dinner is included, as are breakfast and two lunches. The food receives strong praise in the supplied comments, including specific approval for the chef, but no sample menu is provided. If you have dietary needs, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the standard meal will suit you.

At 8:30 p.m., the entertainment begins. The program includes a cruise team dance performance, live DJ music, and games that continue until about 11:00 p.m. This is where the cruise shows its personality most clearly. The atmosphere is built around music and easy social contact, which can be especially helpful if you are traveling alone or with a small group.

One solo guest received extra attention from the staff, and several comments highlight a friendly crew. You should still see this as a group party rather than a personal host service. The maximum of 68 people allows you to meet others, but the experience will depend partly on the energy of the group aboard.

Your cabin and what the fare covers

The fare is listed at $228 per person. That is not a bargain-basement overnight boat trip, but the price includes a substantial package:

• Round-trip shuttle service within Hanoi’s Old Quarter
• Entrance and sightseeing fees
• An English-speaking guide
• Welcome drink
• A furnished en-suite cabin with air conditioning and hot water
• Two bottles of mineral water in the cabin
• Breakfast, dinner, and two lunches
• Kayaking
• Outdoor jacuzzi access
• Sunset fruit and happy hour
• Live DJ entertainment
• Squid fishing equipment
• Morning tea and coffee

The cabin is important for judging value. You are not paying only for transport around Halong Bay. You receive a private en-suite space with air conditioning and hot water, which makes the overnight stay more comfortable than a basic boat arrangement.

Still, read the inclusions carefully. Beverages are not covered and are priced at about $5 to $10. Personal expenses are also extra, and the cruise may add a $20 public holiday surcharge. Set aside money for drinks before you board so the final bill does not catch you by surprise.

The price makes the most sense if you intend to use the activities and nightlife. Someone who plans to kayak, swim, enjoy the jacuzzis, join the party, and eat all meals onboard receives more value than someone who wants a peaceful cabin and little else.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the return journey

Day two starts early, at 6:30 a.m., with a chance to see dawn over Halong Bay. The schedule then gives you light breakfast from 6:45 to 9:00 a.m., along with complimentary morning tea and coffee.

The early start is worth noting. You get a quieter view of the bay before the day’s packing and check-out tasks begin, but you may not want to stay out late at the DJ party and expect a full night’s sleep. The cruise asks you to balance nightlife with an early morning.

From 9:30 to 10:00 a.m., you pack and prepare to leave the cabin. You also settle your beverage bill at the main bar in the dining room. That is a small but useful detail: keep track of purchases during the trip, and do not leave bill payment until the final minute.

Lunch is scheduled from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. You then leave the boat at noon, wait in the lounge, and board the shuttle back to Hanoi. The tour ends with drop-off in the Old Quarter around 3:00 to 3:30 p.m.

The return timing works well for a two-day Hanoi plan. You still have part of the afternoon, though traffic can affect any road journey. The official schedule gives a useful target, not a guarantee down to the minute.

What the strongest praise tells you

The most consistent positive points are the staff, food, atmosphere, and scenery. Several comments describe the crew as friendly and helpful, while the chef and meals receive particularly warm praise. That combination matters on an overnight cruise. Good scenery gets you onboard, but attentive service and dependable meals shape how the whole trip feels.

The guide is also given credit for offering interesting information and amusing stories while keeping the route organized. No guide name is provided, so you cannot request a particular person. The practical expectation is an English-speaking guide who handles the group and explains the sights during the cruise.

The scenery earns special attention at both sunset and sunrise. Halong Bay is the main reason to make this trip, and the two-day format gives you more than a quick harbor visit. You get an evening view, a dawn view, and time on the water between them.

The comments also include enthusiastic Vietnamese-language feedback praising the staff, planning, food, and guide. That supports the picture of a well-organized, service-focused trip, but it does not remove the need to consider the party format and fixed schedule.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this cruise if you want Halong Bay with a ready-made social life. It suits friends traveling together, solo visitors who like meeting people, and younger visitors who want water activities as much as scenery.

It is also a practical choice for a first visit to the bay. Pickup, transfers, meals, sightseeing fees, kayaking, and the cabin are arranged in one booking. You can focus on the views instead of managing separate tickets and transport.

You may want a different style of boat if your priority is quiet. The DJ, dancing, games, water sports, and group size are not minor side features. They define the experience. A relaxed jacuzzi session is available, but the overall tone remains active and social.

Families should consider the age and energy of their group carefully. The information says most people can participate, but it does not give age rules or detailed safety requirements for boat jumping, swimming, or trampolines. Ask the provider directly if those points matter to you.

Practical details that can affect your decision

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience can accommodate most participants. The maximum group size is 68, so ask how many people are expected on your date if group size is important to you.

Pickup is offered only within the Hanoi Old Quarter area as part of the stated shuttle service. If you are staying elsewhere, the supplied information does not promise pickup, so confirm the meeting arrangement before paying.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking. That is a strict rule. The two exceptions are cancellations by the operator because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached. In either case, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Weather matters for both safety and enjoyment. Poor conditions could affect kayaking, swimming, the sunset party, and the views, so check the forecast before committing to a booking that cannot normally be altered.

Should you book the Oasis Bay Cruise?

Book it if you want a high-energy Halong Bay overnight with kayaking, jacuzzis, beach games, included meals, and a DJ-led evening. The $228 price is reasonable when you use the cabin, transport, food, entrance fees, and activities, rather than treating it as a simple boat ride.

Skip it if peace and privacy matter more than entertainment. The 68-person capacity, fixed timetable, and late-night music create a lively group setting. Also budget for drinks and remember that the booking cannot normally be refunded or changed.

For the right person, this is an efficient way to combine Halong Bay’s famous scenery with a ready-made social program. Pack for water activities, keep the early sunrise in mind, and confirm pickup if you are outside the Old Quarter.

FAQ

Where does the Oasis Bay Cruise depart from?

Pickup is offered from the Hanoi Old Quarter. The shuttle takes you to number 24 Tuan Chau Harbour, where you board the cruise.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup is scheduled between 8:15 and 8:45 a.m., with the stated tour start time at 8:30 a.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately two days. You return to Hanoi and are dropped off in the Old Quarter around 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. on day two.

Is transport from Hanoi included?

Yes. Round-trip shuttle transport is included for customers staying within the Hanoi Old Quarter area.

What meals are included?

Breakfast, dinner, and two lunches are included. Complimentary morning tea and coffee are also provided.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayaking is included, along with access to the outdoor jacuzzi and the listed water activities.

Are drinks included in the price?

The welcome drink, morning tea and coffee, and two bottles of mineral water in the cabin are included. Other beverages cost about $5 to $10 and are not included.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 68 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.